More students opt to live on campus

The number of students choosing to live on campus next year increased to its highest level in three years and is up more than 100 students since last year, according to officials in the Department of Housing and Residence Life. During the four application processes for on-campus living this spring, 2,876 students applied to retain rooms, participate in the Community Living option, take their chances in the arena or join in College House or Living/Learning programs. "We're very happy about the numbers," Associate Director for Occupancy Administration Ellie Rupsis said. Last year, 2,752 students applied to live on campus, a drop from the 1995-96 figure of 2,836. "Our numbers look healthy compared to last year," Acting Director of Residential Life Chris Dennis said. Of the four residence programs, the College House/Living Learning option saw the highest increase, increasing to 499 from last year's figure of 390. In 1995-96, 512 students chose this option. Rupsis explained the increase as evidence of students' interest in "smaller programs." "The program staffs should be credited with whatever they do to interest students," she said, adding that the programs combine private space and kitchens, both of which appeal to students. There are also only 170 students on the waiting list for campus residences this year, compared with 302 last year and 269 in 1995-96. "This is good news for those on the waiting list," Rupsis said. "The chances of getting the type of room they want is higher." She added that some students chose to put themselves on the waiting list when a number of rooms were available in an effort to secure their ideal room type. Rupsis added that these figures represent preliminary comparisons, and "some shifting" will tend to occur. Some students may have cancelled since applying and other contracts remain unsigned because they are in the process of being mailed home for students who are abroad, she explained. This year, 1,114 students retained rooms, a figure which includes students who opted to remain or change their rooms in the Quadrangle, King's Court/English House and high rise residences. The Community Living option received applications from 814 interested students, representing the only decrease of the four programs. Last year, 899 students applied for Community Living and 948 participated in 1995-96. Associate Vice Provost for University Life Larry Moneta pointed to the significant increases in the College House/Living-Learning programs as evidence that the "overall system is doing very well." "Students are demonstrating a strong interest in staying on campus," Moneta said. "We're going to try very hard to continue that," he said.